OT: IIHF World Championships Update (US vs Canada) Johnson Hero

After winning 7-2 vs the French on Friday the US took on Medal favorite Canada this afternoon. Lapeer MI, native Jim Slater (Winnipeg- MSU) opened the scoring 1 minute into the game. In what turned out to be a back and forth game all night Canada's John Tavares (NY Islanders) answered with a goal 5 mins later.

In the second period Canada opened the scoring when Jeff Skinner (Carolina) scored 7 minutes into the period. This time it was the USA who answered, when Captain Jack Johnson (Columbus- MICHIGAN) scored his first of the night.

Going into the third the game was tied 2-2. The USA took it's second lead of the night when Patrick Dwyer (Carolina) scored on a wrap around shorthanded. Again Canada took little time answering, just 3 mins later Evander Kane (Winnipeg) evened the score at 3-3. The USA took a 4-3 lead with only 3 minutes remaining when Nate Thompson (Tampa Bay) scored on a doorstep goal, after great work behind the net by Joey Crabb (Toronto- Colorado College). But Canada was not done, Duncan Keith (Chicago) scored less and 90 seconds later evening the score again at 4-4.

The game changing moment occured ironicaly with 1 second left in regulation. When John Tavares was called for delay of game when he lifted the puck over the glass in his own end. The USA started OT on a powerplay, and maintained control in the Canada end the entire 2 minutes. With twelve second remaining on the power play Jack Johnson let a wrist shot go from the top of the circles, beating Cam Ward (Carolina) five hole for the game winner.

While most people don't view this tournament as important (see lack of major stars for Canada/US) it does set the seeding for 2014 Sochi Russia Olympics. Getting to the medal round in the WC really makes your Olympic run much easier.